[Video] Winner of the 2014 Independent Publisher Award (IPPY)

In 2014, T. Alex Tennent’s groundbreaking work The Messianic Feast: Moving Beyond the Ritual earned the gold medal in the Religion category at the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards), widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors for independent authors and publishers.

Chosen from over 5,600 entries spanning national, regional, and eBook categories, this distinction highlights both the scholarly rigor and transformative insights of Tennent’s exploration into the Last Supper and its Jewish roots. Below, we delve into the significance of this award, the IPPY Awards’ history, and what this accolade means for readers and the wider publishing world.

The Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY)

Established in 1996, the IPPY Awards celebrate excellence in independent publishing, recognizing books that demonstrate originality, innovation, and social impact. In 2014 alone, the program received approximately 5,600 submissions—3,700 in national categories, 1,300 in regional, and 600 in eBook divisions—making the competition exceptionally fierce. Medalists are selected by an esteemed panel of judges drawn from libraries, publishing, academia, and the media, all committed to uplifting the independent voice.

Significance of a Gold Independent Publisher Award (IPPY)

The Messianic Feast stood out among 275 total medalists for its innovative approach and theological depth  . Rather than treating the Last Supper as a passive ritual, Tennent reexamines original Greek texts and first-century Jewish idioms to reveal a dynamic portrayal of spiritual communion. His thesis—that the Last Supper employed leavened bread and carried profound Messianic banquet symbolism—challenged centuries of traditional interpretation and resonated deeply with both academic and faith-based audiences.

[Video] Winner of the 2014 Independent Publisher Award (IPPY)

Watch T. Alex Tennent reveal the true meaning of The Messianic Feast.

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